Willie Pile, linebacker and safety for the Toronto Argonauts for the past five seasons announced his plans to retire on Tuesday.

“As I turn the calendar page to the 32nd year of my life, I have also decided to turn a page on my career and retire from professional football,” Pile said in a statement. “Although I have been preparing extremely hard for the opportunity to compete to hoist the Grey Cup in the great city of Toronto this season, the circumstances and the timing surrounding my decision have been very challenging.”

“I am fully confident that this is the best decision for my family and I at this time. I will now focus on being at home with my family and working with high performance high school, university and professional athletes to help them achieve their goals and dreams. I love this game and I will miss you all.”

The Toronto Argonauts are losing one of their defensive leaders as they enter training camp this weekend. Willie Pile was an East Division all-star in 2010, Toronto’s top defensive player in 2008 and was also voted a defensive captain by teammates in 2010 and 2011.

Before becoming a Toronto Argonaut, Willie Pile spent four seasons in the NFL playing a total of 32 games between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys.